# NTSB ERA20LA033: Mooney M20J, N5765H, St. Augustine, FL, November 10, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 10, 2019, 09:20 local (14:20 UTC) - Place: St. Augustine, FL - Coordinates: 29.941389, -81.317779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9414&lon=-81.3178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100546 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20LA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100546/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100546 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA033 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20J, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870219), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis After an annual inspection was completed, the pilot was repositioning his airplane back to his home airport, which was about 1 hour away from the airport where the inspection was performed. During approach to his home airport, while on an extended base leg of the traffic pattern, the engine began to surge for several seconds, followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot verified that the fuel boost pump was on, the mixture was in the full-rich position, and the fuel selector was positioned to the correct fuel tank. He then attempted to glide the airplane to the airport, but the airplane impacted brackish water about 1 mile short of the runway. Examination of the wreckage at the site revealed that the fuel selector was positioned to the right main fuel tank; about 20 gallons of 100-low-lead aviation gasoline was drained from the right tank. Water was drained from the left main fuel tank. The water had a smell of fuel, but no fuel was observed in the left tank. The engine was subsequently examined at a recovery facility and no preimpact mechanical malfunctions were identified. Due to corrosion, the magnetos and fuel pump could not be tested. Based on the available information, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On November 10, 2019, about 0920 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20J, N5765H, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a marsh, while on approach to Northeast Florida Regional Airport (SGJ), St. Augustine, Florida. The airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger was seriously injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV), Gainesville, Florida, about 0820. The pilot reported that he was repositioning the airplane from the facility that performed the annual inspection, back to his home airport. While on an extended base leg of the airport traffic pattern for runway 31, he reduced airspeed from 100 to 95 knots and then increased engine power to maintain 95 knots. At that point, the engine began to surge for several seconds, followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot verified that the fuel boost pump was on, the mixture was rich and the fuel selector was positioned to a correct fuel tank. The pilot also checked both magnetos with no success. He then retracted the landing gear for better glide performance but realized that the airplane would not glide all the way to the runway. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to a marsh about 1 mile prior to the runway threshold. Initial examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that it came to rest upright, mostly submerged in shallow water. The inspector noted damage to the right wing and empennage. Once the wreckage was recovered to shore, the inspector observed the fuel selector positioned to the right main fuel tank and about 20 gallons of 100-low-lead aviation gasoline was drained from the right main fuel tank. Water was drained from the left main fuel tank. The water had a smell of fuel, but the inspector did not observe any 100-low-lead aviation gasoline mixed with the water. The airplane was examined again by an FAA inspector at a recovery facility. A visual inspection of the engine did not reveal any obvious defects and it exhibited corrosion due to submersion in brackish water. The fuel injector divider was opened and no fuel was found; however, a white crystalized power similar to salt was observed, consistent with the submersion in brackish water. Each individual fuel injector was removed and inspected. All the injectors exhibited evidence of the white crystalized powder and no blockages were found. The top spark plugs and ignition leads were removed and no anomalies were observed. The air filter and air box were also examined and no anomalies were observed. The engine was subsequently examined by a National Transportation Safety Board investigator. Visual inspection of the engine and propeller did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The rocker arm covers were removed and noanomalies were noted. The spark plugs were removed and appeared gray in color. A lighted borescope was used to inspect the cylinders and valves, with no anomalies noted. The propeller was rotated by hand and thumb compression was established on all cylinders. The magnetos and fuel pump were corroded and could not be tested. The four-seat, low-wing, retractable tricycle landing gear airplane was manufactured in 1984. It was powered by a Lycoming IO-360, 200-hp engine equipped with a three-blade, constant-speed, Hartzell propeller. Review of maintenance records revealed that the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on October 30, 2019. At that time, the airframe had accumulated 3,398.4 total hours of operation and engine had accumulated 1,610.8 hours since major overhaul. The airplane had flown about 1 hour from the time of the most recent. annual inspection, until the accident, which was the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5765H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5765H-2021-03-06), registration cancelled 2021-03-06, S/N 24-1480, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20J (No Series) - Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-1480 - Year built: 1984 - Airframe hours: 3293.4 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 2019, 1 hours before - Departed: GNV, Gainesville, FL - Destination: SGJ, St. Augustine, FL - Airport: SGJ, Northeast Florida Regional, runway 31, 7,997 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: minor; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 17, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6,700 total, 700 in this make and model, 5,580 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: SGJ, 1 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20191110020979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191110020979A), Nov 10, 2019: Mooney M20J, Saint Augustine, FL, Substantial damage. The accident involving N5765H, a Mooney M20J, was the result of loss of engine power. At the time the loss of power occurred when aircraft N5765H was beginning… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 15, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100546. 5.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482476&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482477&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Excerpts From Maintenance Records (item 3, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482478&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20From%20%20Maintenance%20Records-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement - Engine Examination (item 4, .PDF, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482479&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20-%20Engine%20Examination-Master.PDF - Memorandum For The Record - Wreckage Examination (item 5, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482480&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20The%20Record%20-%20Wreckage%20Examination-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 6, .PDF, 994 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482481&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 7, .PDF, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482482&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.